Layer stack configuration in PCB Design - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Concept Flow

[Start] → [Identify layers and thickness] → [Sum thickness values] → [Output total thickness]

This flow shows how the PCB layer stack thickness is calculated by summing the thickness of each layer.

Formula

=SUM(C2:C5)

This formula sums the thickness values in cells C2 through C5 to calculate the total PCB thickness.

Step-by-Step Trace

Step	Operation	Expression	Result	Explanation
1	Reference cells	C2 + C3 + C4 + C5	0.035 + 0.1 + 1.5 + 0.035	Identify thickness values to sum
2	Add first two	0.035 + 0.1	0.135	Sum Top Copper and Prepreg thickness
3	Add Core layer	0.135 + 1.5	1.635	Add Core thickness
4	Add Bottom Copper	1.635 + 0.035	1.67	Add Bottom Copper thickness for total

The total PCB thickness is 1.67 mm after summing all layers.

Variable Tracker

Step	Variable	Value Before	Operation	Value After
1	Sum	0	Add 0.035 (C2)	0.035
2	Sum	0.035	Add 0.1 (C3)	0.135
3	Sum	0.135	Add 1.5 (C4)	1.635
4	Sum	1.635	Add 0.035 (C5)	1.67

Key Moments

Why do we sum cells C2 to C5?

What does the final sum represent?

Why is it important to add each layer's thickness separately?

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Which cells are included in the thickness sum?

A A2 to A5

B C2 to C5

C B2 to B5

D A1 to C1

Key Result

Layer stack configuration sums thickness values of individual PCB layers to find total board thickness.

Transcript

We start by identifying the thickness values in cells C2 to C5. Then, we sum these values step by step: first adding Top Copper and Prepreg thickness, then adding Core thickness, and finally Bottom Copper thickness. The final sum, 1.67 mm, represents the total thickness of the PCB stack.